Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel\'s September: At the River - A Musical Journey Through the Year

What is the instrumentation of Hensel's work?

What instrument did Fanny Mendelssohn play in her composition 'September: At the River'?

Instrumentation of Hensel's Work

In Hensel's work, the instrumentation consists of one piano. Fanny Mendelssohn played the piano in her composition 'September: At the River.'

Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, a talented composer and pianist, crafted a beautiful character piece titled 'September: At the River.' This piece is part of her cycle of twelve programmatic works known as 'The Year,' where each composition reflects a specific month of the year.

Written in 1841, 'The Year' or 'Das Jahr' is a remarkable piano cycle that captures the essence of each month through music, poetry, and visual art. While Fanny released 'September' as part of Op. 2 in 1846, the complete 'Das Jahr' wasn't published until 1989.

A fascinating discovery was made when a corrected autograph copy of 'Das Jahr' was found. Each movement was duplicated on different colored paper, accompanied by illustrations by Hensel's husband, Wilhelm, and preceded by poetic epigrams. This attention to detail added depth to the overall experience of the cycle.

Marion Wilson Kimber, a musicologist, interprets 'The Year' as a reflection of both the stages of human life and the changing seasons throughout the year. By considering the music, poems, and images together, listeners can embark on a unique journey through time and emotions.